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American vehicle safety authorities have opened an probe into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following several crashes.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially requesting a recall of the cars if the agency concludes they pose a risk to road safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had documented reports of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and moving in the incorrect way during lane changes while using the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD activated, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the crossroads despite the red signal and was later involved in a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The authority noted that four accidents had caused one or more injuries.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's planned actions as the car was coming to a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the authority began an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or dust clouds. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment. While these features are engineered to improve over time, the presently active features do not make the vehicle self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.